Government to import pulses to check prices; asks states to take action against hoarders

New Delhi: To check rising price of pulses, the government today said it will import lentils in large quantities to boost supply and also asked states to take action against hoarders. In a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Cabinet expressed concern over rising prices and decided to increase imports, among other measures.

Pulses prices have risen by up to 64 per cent in the last one year as the domestic production fell by nearly two million tonnes in 2014-15 crop year due to unfavourable weather conditions.

"The government is very serious on rising pulses prices. There has been less production of pulses. We will import pulses whatever quantity is required," said Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan.

"We have asked state governments to take action against hoarders," he added.

India imports about four million tonnes of pulses, largely through private trade, to meet domestic shortfall.